José Mourinho is back at Benfica. His resume reads like a map of footballing royalty: Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United, and beyond. Despite the inevitable ups and downs of a long career, the world refuses to stop believing in him. Why? Because he has the ultimate “ring” in the game, a Champions League trophy, first won with FC Porto, that cemented his status at the pinnacle of the sport.
As of late 2025, Mourinho has returned to Lisbon on a two-year deal, proving that when the world seems “tired” of a veteran, a new call inevitably comes. There is a profound business lesson here: High-performers with proven records are perpetually recycled. We see it in the C-suite every day, one CEO exits a role only to be snapped up by another firm, while the “new blood” waits in the wings.
Ancient African wisdom captures this perfectly: it takes the killing of a leopard to be called a “killer of leopards.” Once you have achieved that feat, you are addressed in the plural, “unu abiala” (you people have come), because your reputation is now larger than your physical self. You are no longer just a person; you are your record.
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I remember my primary school teacher, Mr. Chigbu, using this lure of “legacy” to push us toward secondary school. He would tease us with stories of Okonkwo and Amalinze the Cat from Things Fall Apart, stopping just as the drama peaked: “If you want the rest of the story, you must get into secondary school.”
The legend of Amalinze “The Cat” was built on a record of never letting his back touch the ground. When a young Okonkwo finally threw him, that single, massive victory established a legend that lasted a lifetime.
The Lesson: Records build careers. Even when the shine begins to fade, decision-makers will always default to the person with a history of winning. If you want career longevity, put some undeniable records on your resume. Yes, win a “Champions League” in your own field.
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